Untangling the affordable care act

QI’m confused about the Affordable Care Act. Will I lose my health insurance from work? What are the benefits? — Charlotte W., Indianapolis

AWe won’t know all the benefits until 2014 — if then — when the law goes into full effect. But we’ll try to answer your questions.

Your employer has always been and is still able to change coverage at will; but if you are covered now, you most likely will be insured in 2014. If your work-provided insurance ends, you’ll be required to buy individual insurance, but you won’t have to pay if you have religious objections or cannot afford it. In order to control the cost of premiums, by 2014, every state will have an insurance exchange so consumers can shop for their best plan and rates. Here are some other benefits:

•Insurance can’t be canceled once you’re sick. And kids with pre-existing conditions can’t be denied coverage (as of 2014 that covers adults, too).

•Kids can stay on their folks’ plan until they’re 26.

•If your insurance provider spends less than 80 percent to 85 percent of your premium dollars on medical care, you’ll get a rebate from the insurance company.

•There’s no cost for preventive services, such as cholesterol tests and mammograms.

While we wait to see how it shakes out, one thing we know is prevention reduces health-care costs. Which brings us to Drs. Roizen and Oz: FOR KEEPS Health Care Policy.